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| As a
logical continuation, after Priene and Miletos, one goes to Didyma, a
famous temple for its oracles.
This temple dedicated to Apollo was the
richest and biggest of the Ionian temples on Anatolian soil. It was to
cover such a vast area, that its construction lasted more than 150-200
years and yet it was planned to be without ceiling. |
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Again after the "Ionian Rebellion", it was to Alexander the Great to order
its restoration. On the ruins of the VIth century BC temple, a church was
built during the Byzantine period. Though the ruins one can see today are
of pre-Christian age. The temple was famous all over the Greek world for
its oracles so that it even surpassed the reputation of Delphi. |
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| The
reason for which the harbor of Panamos near Didyma became very busy and
was visited by lots of commanders, ordinary and respected people, is that
they wanted to learn their future from the priests of the temple. The
oracle ceremonies were in two steps : the Pithy would first comment the
glitters on the waters of a well and then the priests would translate
these into literal and impressive words. |
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After the Lade War, many of the priests were to escape from the temple or
killed by Alexander the Great and the temple of Didyma remained an
unimportant temple till the Roman time. |
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Rated: 9.8
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